You know what bobsledding is, right? That winter sport where people hurl themselves down an ice chute at terrifying speeds for fun? Well, someone looked at that and thought, “This should be a roller coaster.” And thus, the Flying Turns at Knoebels Amusement Resort was born.
Opened on October 5, 2013, after a casual seven years of construction, this wooden bobsled coaster is a love letter to the classic Flying Turns rides of the 1920s and 1930s. Unlike traditional roller coasters, there are no rails—just a wooden half-pipe track where the bobsled-style cars freely careen through twists and turns at speeds up to 24 mph (39 km/h). That’s right, the train isn’t attached to anything, meaning gravity and sheer luck decide your fate.
Standing 50 feet (15 meters) tall and stretching 1,300 feet (400 meters) long, this ride delivers a completely unpredictable experience—because even physics isn’t entirely sure what’s going to happen next. With three trains, each seating six brave souls, Flying Turns gives riders a taste of bobsledding without the ice, spandex suits, or risk of being recruited for the Winter Olympics.
So if you’ve ever wanted to experience the thrill of bobsledding but without the snow or personal injury insurance, Knoebels has you covered. Just remember: it took seven years to build, so you better enjoy every second of the ride.
